"He is... my and Xiao Wu's classmate, his name is You Xing."
In the end, Tang San still couldn't use the most convincing argument and only said "classmate" as their relationship.
Comparing the two, the persuasiveness was not on the same level at all.
Although it might not align with freedom, equality, and democracy, being a disciple of a prominent figure naturally carried more weight than just being an ordinary classmate.
And indeed.
"Just a classmate? Then where is he now? Since you speak so highly of him, why didn't he come to Shrek Academy with you?"
Dai Mubai looked disbelieving and sneered.
Tang San couldn't answer.
He subtly glanced at Xiao Wu from the corner of his eye.
Dai Mubai noticed Tang San's gaze and also looked at Xiao Wu: "Hey, Xiao Wu, it seems Tang San wants you to back him up, huh?"
Xiao Wu felt disgusted.
If it were just a simple matter of vouching for You Xing, she wouldn't need Dai Mubai to chime in; she would have stepped forward to explain herself.
But if she explained now, it would seem like she was just helping Tang San, and being used as a pawn was something she wanted no part of.
However, Xiao Wu suddenly noticed the complex expression on Tang San's face and immediately understood why he only referred to You Xing as their classmate. A flash of inspiration struck her.
She then changed her mind and, with a sly smile, said: "Ah~ yes, there is such a classmate. Have you heard of Grandmaster You Chen, the renowned theoretical master of the continent? You Xing is his disciple. That's why he hasn't gained any fame yet—because he's been traveling with his teacher for further studies."
Just a few meters away, You Chen, who was unexpectedly mentioned, showed no change in expression, continuing to silently watch the drama unfold, as if the theoretical master Xiao Wu spoke of was someone else entirely.
Dai Mubai's expression shifted slightly.
He had chosen to visit Yu Xiaogang to consult about Martial Soul issues; how could he not know about You Chen?
"Impossible, aren't you from a small place like Notting City? Why would Grandmaster You Chen stay in such a small town?" Dai Mubai shook his head repeatedly.
Flender also looked surprised. He only knew that his old friend Yu Xiaogang had come to him to escape the backlash of public opinion, but he hadn't realized that Grandmaster You Chen had been in the same city as Yu Xiaogang at that time.
Recalling the complex attitude of admiration and resentment Yu Xiaogang had vaguely shown towards You Chen during their travels together years ago, Flender sighed inwardly, understanding why Yu Xiaogang was reluctant to mention this.
"Ahem..."
Seeing that they were about to delve deeper into the discussion of You Xing's existence, Flender coughed lightly and finally stepped in to mediate: "Alright, let's stop here."
He first looked at Dai Mubai: "Mubai, it's obvious you started this again. Go and take your punishment later."
Dai Mubai silently bowed his head in acknowledgment: "Yes..."
Then Flender turned to Tang San: "Tang San, Mubai was indeed wrong, but your use of the forbidden hidden weapons is also a serious issue. Later, I'll have your teacher personally discipline you! And..."
He paused, then said gravely: "There are always people beyond people, skies beyond skies in this world. You and Mubai have conflicts, but you are still classmates and companions who have studied together for three years! Using outsiders to put down your own companions, do you think that's appropriate?"
Finally, Flender addressed Xiao Wu: "Xiao Wu, you see them almost like enemies now, and you still want to add fuel to the fire? Do you think it's fun?"
Thus, he managed to scold all three of them at once.
While the Shrek Academy group was smoothing things over.
Ning Rongrong curiously glanced at You Chen and asked: "Beast Soul Senior, even my father occasionally mentions this theoretical master, saying he is a great figure who has significantly propelled the development of the Martial Soul world. Is he really that amazing and powerful?"
You Chen, in a very objective tone with a hint of seriousness, replied: "It's not a matter of whether he's powerful or not. He is truly one of those rare... pure seekers of truth? Your father says he has greatly propelled the Martial Soul world? No, it would be more accurate to say he has made immense contributions to the entire world, truly altering the course of history."
You Chen's tone naturally carried a hint of admiration as he spoke.
Ning Rongrong was stunned: "Even you say so, Beast Soul Senior, then he must really be remarkable?"
He turned to Ning Rongrong and asked: "Ning girl, do you know? Besides You Chen, the theoretical contributors in the textbooks you use, the most recent are scholars from a few hundred years ago, with more coming from predecessors thousands of years ago. Why do you think that is?"
Ning Rongrong fell into thought, then answered uncertainly: "Because all the theories worth mentioning have already been explored by our predecessors?"
"Not exactly, but close."
You Chen slowly explained: "The theoretical system is like a big tree, growing as scholars add to it. Once the foundational parts are laid, equivalent to the trunk being fully developed, the branches grow wildly in a short time, then at some point, nearly stagnate, making it difficult to branch out further. You Chen's greatness lies in the fact that he, in a Martial Soul theoretical system that had nearly stagnated for thousands of years, made the trunk significantly thicker, providing more room for development, and then single-handedly developed branches that would have taken others thousands of years to grow. Tell me... is this someone who can be described merely as powerful?"
It was like how after Newton laid the foundation for classical mechanics, the field of physics experienced explosive growth.
But after a while, once all explorable areas had been explored, it returned to its previous state.
During this time, many physicists who could be called historic figures appeared, but compared to Newton, none could be called great.
Until... Einstein appeared.
The theory of relativity was based on classical mechanics yet transcended it, once again expanding the field of physics.
There are countless great figures in the physics community, but if you were to name the top two, Newton and Einstein would naturally come to mind.
Their existence has been deeply engraved in the human meme, making further comparisons unnecessary.
And in the theoretical world of Douluo Continent, there was no Newton, nor Einstein.
Over time, the foundational theories were naturally established, and for the major families and powers of this world, summaries like those proposed by Yu Xiaogang were the common knowledge of upper-tier Soul Masters.
It was the collective achievement of countless past Soul Masters. Many had reached the effect of a Newton, so naturally, no one could become as famous or irreplaceable as Newton.
And what You Chen accomplished was akin to Einstein's achievements in the physics world.
In the absence of a "Newton," You Chen was undoubtedly the top theoretical figure, the "Newton" of the Soul Master theoretical world.
Even if tens of thousands of years passed, this status would not change, at most, an "Einstein" who could stand alongside him might emerge.
Ning Rongrong blinked: "Looking at it this way, he does seem really remarkable..."
You Chen knew that the current Ning Rongrong didn't truly understand the extent of this greatness.
Just like in our elementary and middle school years, we only knew that Newton, Einstein, and Galileo were great physicists, but that was about it.
You Chen nodded: "Yes, remember to look up his works in the future."
He hinted: "A true theoretical master, if he really has genuine talent and knowledge, you will surely find his name in some books. As for those so-called masters whose names are nowhere to be found in theoretical articles, you should be wary of them possibly being frauds."
Although Ning Rongrong was indeed more intelligent than her peers, You Chen's words were still somewhat profound for her age, and she could only nod naively: "Oh, I see."
As the two chatted, the conflict at Shrek Academy finally came to a hasty end.
Xiao Wu, already wanting to leave, didn't take Flender's criticism to heart; Dai Mubai's dislike for Tang San grew even stronger, and after witnessing the power of the hidden weapons, he also felt a hint of fear.
As for Tang San?
Even though Flender used a method of scolding all three equally, for Tang San, who always thought in extremes, he couldn't be satisfied with such a muddy solution.
The anger Tang San had been holding back became even more suppressed than before.
Flender, however, didn't notice at all, as he was also somewhat distracted.
Seeing that Ning Rongrong didn't show any obvious aversion to Shrek Academy due to the conflict between Tang San and Dai Mubai, Flender quietly sighed in relief.
After all, Ning Fengzhi had provided an extremely generous reward, and if the person ran away before even entering the school, it would be troublesome.
After that, everyone naturally went their separate ways.
Ning Rongrong, having seen the strength of Dai Mubai and Tang San, temporarily dismissed the idea of running away directly.
As the saying goes, no matter the actual teaching level, having a few good students can be very impressive.
Even with very rudimentary facilities and environment, with outstanding students like Dai Mubai and Tang San, Shrek Academy seemed quite impressive to Ning Rongrong.
Since she hadn't exposed her mischievous nature in front of others with You Chen's help, Ning Rongrong decided to continue her act.
Maintaining her ladylike manners, she bid farewell to Flender and the subsequently appearing Oscar, and left the academy before asking curiously: "Beast Soul Senior?"
Ning Rongrong looked around and realized that You Chen had quietly left at some point.
Ning Rongrong dismissed the idea of returning directly to her sect and instead became more curious about Shrek Academy.
She had a vague feeling that You Chen had a considerable understanding of Shrek Academy, at least far more than she did, and planned to ask carefully and investigate, but You Chen had disappeared.
'Forget it.'
Ning Rongrong shook her head and quickly returned to the Seven Treasures Commerce Society's branch in Notting City, directly finding the local manager.
"Uncle Wu, three minutes, I need all the information on Shrek Academy."
...
Late at night, at Shrek Academy, Tang San lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
This movement also made his roommate, Oscar, feel uneasy, but recalling Tang San's cold attitude towards him earlier, he ultimately said nothing.
'I heard Dai Mubai was severely taught a lesson by Tang San, and if Teacher Zhao Wuji hadn't arrived in time, it might have been worse. I never thought Tang San's hidden weapons were really that powerful... I'd better not provoke him while he's still angry.'
Oscar was very pragmatic and lay there for who knows how long, until today's exhaustion finally took over, and he fell asleep unknowingly.
'Dai Mubai! Dai Mubai!! Dai Mubai!!!'
Oscar had already fallen asleep, but Tang San still lay awake, his eyes bloodshot.
As the saying goes, the more you endure, the more you feel wronged; the more you retreat, the more you feel angry.
Originally, Tang San, having witnessed Dai Mubai and Yu Xiaogang's improper relationship (from Tang San's perspective), was already on the verge of exploding, relying on great willpower to suppress his murderous intent towards Dai Mubai.
Seeing Dai Mubai attempt to take liberties with Xiao Wu (from Tang San's perspective), his murderous intent surged again, and he managed to vent a bit by defeating Dai Mubai.
Then Flender came out to smooth things over and reason.
That was fine, but afterward, he was called to talk by Yu Xiaogang.
Who was Yu Xiaogang?
He already didn't think much of Xiao Wu, but instead, he quite liked Dai Mubai, who had humbly sought his advice.
After all, Xiao Wu often had a sharp retort for him, while Dai Mubai, on the contrary, greatly satisfied his vanity, providing ample emotional value.
Yu Xiaogang saw Tang San as his own son and naturally wouldn't discipline him just because Flender said a few words, but it was only natural for him to tell Tang San to get along with Dai Mubai from a parent's perspective.
It was like when your parents come back from a parent-teacher meeting and tell you to get along with a classmate who has good grades and a good family background.
Yu Xiaogang didn't see anything wrong with this and instead thought he was doing Tang San a favor.
But, but damn it, could Tang San think like that, could he just accept it like that!?
Damn it, even a real turtle couldn't endure this!
His murderous intent surged again, almost uncontrollable.
Tang San was about to evolve from an ordinary Tang San to a murderous Tang San!
But... Tang San ultimately had great willpower.
Numerous literary works tell us that the power of love is infinite.
With love, everything can be solved, all difficulties can be overcome.
With love, the world will welcome a better tomorrow.
Tang San ultimately relied on the power of his love for Yu Xiaogang to suppress his murderous intent towards Dai Mubai!
But...
'The crime may be forgiven, but the punishment cannot be escaped!'
Tang San recalled Dai Mubai always surrounded by women, frolicking in the flower fields, and Dai Mubai's covetous gaze towards Xiao Wu, and a cold smile appeared on his face.
'Dai Mubai, you love playing with women, don't you? Well, I'll make you impotent! You'll never dare to have improper thoughts about Xiao Wu again! Hahaha!!!'
Tang San was immersed in his own fantasy, laughing triumphantly in his mind.
Unbeknownst to him, the sounds he made in reality were eerie.
"Keke, keke, keke..."
The cold laughter made his roommate Oscar shiver in his sleep, feeling a chill.
You Chen floated outside the window, looking curiously at the deranged Tang San, increasingly curious about what would happen next. (End of Chapter)